The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-12-07
Keep the Boys Happy.

hS6P litC OOyS ffdPPys
In the course of vacation, spent few
days in two fanatics, and the contrast in
the way they managed their children
was 50 striking. that l cannot refrain
from noting them down for the consider
alton of parents.
Mr. Ashley WIS well-tO-do farmer ;
he I'D an abundance of this worlds
goods, a good farm, fine cattle. splendid
/ horses. and very comfortable house I:
nothing magnificent in builling or fur
nishing. but neat and pretty. The two
eldest children we're daughters, and were
nice, tidy, polite girls; there were five
boys, from fourteen years of age down to
five-bright. wide awake little fellows,
but more riotous, disorierly set Of ur-
I chins never saw in one house II was
perfect Bedlam from the time they
were ont Of their beds in the morning
/ till they were sent 10 their rooms again
at night They were out of school for
I two months vacation. and do believe
there was not an hour in the day that
/ the mother did not exclaim: Il shall be
l glad when you are of at school again ?"
The girls were fretting at and soothing
them continual, ?, and do not believe a
/ pleasant word was given them the live
1 long day was sorry for them all. the
boys were not happy, the mother wits
/ miserable, and the sisters wretehe,l. AMI
| must say it WIS positive relief when
they were sent TO bed, 80 there could be
/ a little quiet OF course having company,
the parlor was opened, but not one of
the boys was allowed to put his foot on
the carpet they could come and peep in
at the d' or, but sharp clear ont,' or
loud q keep in the kitchen, YOU boys"
would send them with heavy stampede
through the hall, making as much racket
confusion, and / abridged my visit to as
short space as etiquette would allow,
after accepting an invitation to spend a
week with my Old schOolmtte. She was
50 sadly changed from bright, merry
girl, TO a sad iretful woman, that WAS
glad to 90, in the hope Of iniling a more
congenial stopping place where there
were no boys to keep up rompus all the
time
Ny next visit was to my room mate
when we were in the seminary together.
Mr.. Stanton met me at the depot--a
pleasant, genial-looking man. and gave
me cordial welcome. Nv wife would
have come with me- he said, g but she
thought hot supper would be more ben
edcial to you after long ride than half
an hour Of her company" After seating
me and Arranging things comfortably he
turned round Ny little boy wanted to
come for the ride, and he i such little
shay sF knew we shouldn't be crowded.
and Away like TO make the little peo-
pie happy - and ne tossed a brown-eyed
four-year-old into the carriage, saying. as
he seated himself, Here, Bobby sit on
papa's knee"
oh there is plenty of room between
Us on the seat" I said "Do you like to
ride, my little man ?'
Yes ma'am, very much he answer
ell, giancing into my face. Not another
word did ne speak till we drove through
the gate up to the wide porch, when b..
said, There Is mamma waiting for Us"
Eighteen years had not wrought much
change in Mrs. stanton. There was Just
little frost visible among her pretty
brown hair, but her brow was Just as
smooth, and her smile just as sweet, as
in the olien time when we were girls O.
gether. Very soon supper was on the Ia
bic. In perfect order and quiet six rosy
checked boys gathered to their places,
little Bobby sitting in high chair by
Mr. Stanton.
These are not all yours, May ?" / ex-
claimed as they ranged along the table
with folded han.ls
Il 1wn every one of them, anil the
seventh son-the Doctor you knows
asleep in the cradle and she gave
merry laugh, as she saw my look of sur
prise.
Goodness ms. and you look 80 young
and happy"
am just your age am happy.
have pleasant home, kind husband,
and blessed children, but have no
daughter. Our little May, between Bob
by and the Doctor, died when only
year old we missed her much" and her
eyes glistened with unshed tears, as she
spoke
Not ehild's voice was heard through
the whole meal. The parents supplied
their wants and we chattei as cheerfully
rs if there ha been no children present.
A pleasant lookinggirl took the little one
from his chair and carried him to the
nursey.
g have no parlor.7 my friend said,
- / want my little ones to be with Us; 20
we use the sitting room for our reception
room"
The children come in quietly some Of
them gathered round the center table.
over which hung lamp; the eldest took
book to read: two played domInos and
two jaekstraws. Btby climbed on his
fathers knee and little Doctor sat with
his mother. When the clock struck sew
en- the oldest son closed his book.
~Come little Boo. il is bed time The
little fellow kissed his father and mother
and went away quietly.
At eight o'clock the d)minos were pla-
eed in their box, the jarkstraws put in
place, and the four little ones gave their
goodnight kiss and went off TO bed. At
nine the oldest son put his mark in his
book, kissed his parents and quie ly dis
appeared.
Are your children always as quiet
and happy as they have been tonight"
| asked
why yes Only you are company
and they did not talk over their games